A recent archeological dig and a shorebird's nest has delayed construction of the new splash pad in Point Edward.
Village CAO Jim Burns says they've discovered a killdeer's nest on site and hope they'll be able to remove it safely and soon. He says he's working on getting in touch with the Canadian Wildlife Service to get a permit to move the nest.
"I don't know what's involved with the permit but I'm really hoping that we can get a permit and move it right away," says Burns. "If we can't, we have to wait for the eggs to hatch which is probably another three weeks or so. Then the birds would have to get big enough that they could leave the nest on their own."
He says work also had to be put on hold after several artifacts, reportedly 3,000 years old, were uncovered when construction was just getting started.
"They're finding bones from small animals, pieces of stone from arrowheads and pieces of ceramic," says Burns.
The village received $100,000 in federal funding from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program to help pay for the project which includes a field house and pavilion.
Burns says he expects the archeological work and delays added about $100,000 to the $800,000 budget.
A celebration on June 29 to mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation will go ahead, even if the project isn't completed.
